"Even if we're not connected directly, we feel it directly, because it's who we are," said Gonzalez. "People that were attacked that night were Latinx and people of color, and that's who we are here in Salinas."

The youth of Our Gente are a "chosen family," she says. Tonight, they'll have a safe space to reflect on how far they've come in their fight for equality and inclusivity -- and how far they still have to go.

"Although there were 49 people that were lost that day, there's a continuum of people that lose their lives because of hate crimes, being murdered because of who they are," said Gonzalez.

Below is a list of vigils happening in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties: